How to Go Fishing for Flathead Catfish

Flathead catfish are found in many parts of North America once you get west of the Appalachians. They are much like normal catfish with a couple exceptions: their flat heads and their large size. They can weigh as much as 100 lbs. or more. The flathead catfish prefers deep, cloudy water and can be found in streams, rivers and lakes where the current is on the slow side. Before setting out to catch a big flathead, get your bait right and make sure you have strong gear.

Things You'll Need

  • Rod and reel
  • 8 lb. test line
  • 20 to 30 lb. test if around brush or trees
  • Treble hooks
  • Stink bait
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Instructions

    • 1

      Choose your bait. Flathead catfish mostly feed by scent, so stink baits are best. Make your bait or buy some at the bait shop. There are plenty of anglers who share their bait recipes online. Some good ones include chicken livers, cheese and corn. If you want to use live bait, try worms, minnows, leeches and small bait fish.

    • 2

      Prepare your rod. You can use just about any pole, but the line or even the rod could break if you hook a big catfish. You'll feel the catfish less when reeling it in on a 6-foot to 7-foot rod. Use quality line. Green-colored, low-visibility monofilament line is a good choice. You can use 8-lb. test, but make sure your drag is right to avoid breaking. You're likely to catch more fish with this line because it's less visible in the water. If you're fishing around lots of brush and trees in the water, then use a hefty line of 20 to 30 lbs.

    • 3

      Tie on a treble hook. These hooks hold bait well and are more likely to hold onto a fish. Some anglers don't use them, however. Treble hooks can snag a fish in the side or even the tail, what's known as foul-hooking. They also can do great damage to a fish, so you wouldn't want to use a treble hook unless you are able to keep the fish.

    • 4

      Fish for flatheads near log jams, tree stumps and rocks. You will have better results in the early morning or in the early evening -- and after dark in the summer months. Keep your catfish bait on the river or lake bottom. Flathead catfish feed off the bottom most of the time.